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With so much focus immediately following the Broncos’ Draft weekend on the retooled offense, it was easy to see why wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni would be elated after the first two picks went straight to his position depth chart.
And one could argue that Mike Munchak probably enjoyed the weekend as well after getting two of the top offensive linemen in the draft and both at great value - Lloyd Cushenberry III in the third round and Netane Muti, who was considered a top-50 talent by many before injuries slid him all the way to the sixth round. Add in a prime free agent addition with Graham Glasgow, and it’s hard to believe Munchak could be anything but thrilled with his new reality.
But it’s possible that another coach is actually the happiest guy in the virtual room - which would be ironic since he’s not known for his comedic demeanor - and that’s Bill Kollar.
Kollar’s defensive line had a sort of stealth offseason as it retained two absolute beasts in Shelby Harris and Mike Purcell and also traded for standout tackle Jurrell Casey for just a seventh round pick this year to the Titans. With a more experienced Dre’Mont Jones heading into his second year, the D-line already had potential.
But then Elway added a couple of defensive gems in later rounds of the Draft and now it has promise.
The bear wrestler could be salivating over his current d-line fortune.
McTelvin Agim is a tackle from Arkansas that Caddy to the Lama told Joe Rowles could be the true steal of the draft for the Broncos - “When you turn on the tape, Agim’s athleticism just pops because he has such great short area explosion in every direction. He’s a 305-pound body ripping around guards, hitting spin moves, and jumping around offensive linemen in the run game making tackles for loss.”
Derreck Tuszka, a defensive end from North Dakota State who former MHR draft guru Christopher Hart has been touting all year.
Both rookies have high expectations for themselves.
Agim believes his pass-rush skills can easily transfer to the NFL.
“I feel like just getting off the ball and working my hands, being able to make moves and adjust in pass-rush, being able to hold the block, I feel like I did that pretty well,” he said. “The thing I feel like I have to improve on the most is just being more consistent because I’ve been able to do everything, but I need to make sure I can do it all on a consistent basis.”
Although Tuszka did not come from a top 25 team in a major conference, he is known for his high motor, which will certainly be a plus in Vic Fangio’s defense.
“I don’t take any plays off. I’m always trying to be a factor wherever the ball is at and wherever I’m at on the field,” he said. “There isn’t a play in my mind I can’t be a factor on. For pass rushing I keep it pretty simple. I don’t try to get too fancy. It all starts with a good off.”
It’s going to be fun watching Kollar develop this line.
docllv’s pick of the day
Inside look at how sports shaped Hunter S. Thompson’s ‘gonzo’ journalism | The Athletic
Hunter S. Thompson’s article on the Kentucky Derby began as a sports writing assignment. It was not how sportswriters were writing in 1970. It wasn’t widely read at the time, but for those that did see it, the story was a sensation. The 7,000-word article was a wild first-person mix of colorful rhetoric and hilarious exaggeration that painted the debauched Derby scene as a living indictment of the atavistic culture of Thompson’s native Louisville. He made himself the main character. It’s the Ur-text of gonzo journalism. It’s also an example of Thompson’s use of sports as an entry point into cultural commentary – something that has largely been overlooked in his 40 years as one of American’s most noted and extravagant journalists.
Broncos/NFL News
John Elway discusses NFL Draft surprises, confidence in Drew Lock in NBC interviews
"The days of 3 yards and a cloud of dust are behind us," John Elway told Mike Tirico. "But that's why you have to be explosive on the offensive side and be able to put some points on the board...We're going to have a heck of a battle in the AFC West."
Denver Broncos 2020 NFL Draft Class Recap | The Draft Network
Denver is quietly assembling a roster that will make it fun to watch an AFC West divisional game.
'It's either adapt or die in the NFL': Peter King impressed by Broncos' changes on offense
Reflecting on the Broncos’ offensive overhaul and their 2020 draft class, NBC Sports’ Peter King says the Broncos are adapting to compete with the NFL’s high-octane offenses.
OLB Von Miller tests negative for COVID-19
Miller initially tested positive for the novel coronavirus in mid-April.
Michael Ojemudia is the most important player in the 2020 Broncos draft class |
The Denver Broncos made a clear push to build the offense in the 2020 NFL Draft, but it’s cornerback Michael Ojemudia who holds all the cards to defining the draft class, says Broncos Blitz podcast host Ronnie Kohrt.
AFC West draft grades: Broncos load up for Lock; Bolts go big - NFL.com
Did the AFC West nail the 2020 NFL Draft? Who was the best pick? Biggest surprise? Sleeper to watch? Dan Parr reveals the division's report card.
The Neutral Zone (Ep.79): Why the Broncos could be playoff bound in 2020
Well...duh!
The Five Most Revealing Strategies of the 2020 NFL Draft - The Ringer
There’s no way to misinterpret Denver’s approach to the 2020 draft. Even with budding star Courtland Sutton and 2019 first-round pick Noah Fant in place, the Broncos still needed to put as many explosive pass catchers on the field as possible and dare defenses to stop them.
NFL's May meeting will now be held virtually - NFL.com
The NFL's Spring Meeting will now be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NFL Network's Judy Battista reported Thursday.
Chiefs exercise QB Patrick Mahomes' fifth-year option - NFL.com
The Chiefs are hoping to agree to a long-term extension with QB Patrick Mahomes this offseason. First, they exercised his fifth-year option, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reports.
Bengals release QB Andy Dalton after nine seasons - NFL.com
The Bengals, one week after drafting Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick, have released quarterback Andy Dalton, Tom Pelissero reports. Dalton was Cincinnati's starter the past nine seasons.
Brees-Thomas, Ryan-Jones among NFL's top 10 QB-WR pairings - NFL.com
Gil Brandt lists the top 10 quarterback-receiver pairings heading into the 2020 NFL season. Where does the Cardinals' new partnership of Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins land?
Redskins decline fifth-year option on LB Reuben Foster - NFL.com
Reuben Foster is officially entering a contact year. The former 49ers LB had his fifth-year option declined by the Redskins. He sat out the 2019 season after suffering a torn ACL in his first practice with Washington.
Roundup: Ted Ginn agrees to one-year deal with Bears - NFL.com
Ted Ginn made it public recently he still wanted to play football, and now he's found a place to do it. Ginn has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears.